West Brom boss Roy Hodgson out to finish on a top-10 high

ROY HODGSON wants to sign off his survival mission in style by finishing as top dog in the Midlands.

West Brom manager Hodgson has challenged his players to beat Everton at the Hawthorns today []

West Brom manager Hodgson has challenged his players to beat Everton at the Hawthorns today and secure a surprise top-10 finish.

Hodgson has masterminded only Albion’s second campaign in the Premier League without the miserable experience of relegation.

And even though this game has more dead rubber than a Lewis Hamilton wheelspin he has set his troops a new target, with his Baggies one point ahead of rivals Aston Villa.

He said: “We have to beat Everton to give ourselves the chance of a top-10 finish.

“We are still on course and would like to be the top Midlands club this year – that would also be a fine achievement.

“Two further good performances to finish the season off are going to be important and we’ll see what results they bring.

West Brom manager Hodgson has challenged his players to beat Everton at the Hawthorns today

“I’m just happy in some ways that these last three games have been games where we have not needed to get points to stay up.

“It’s nice to be going into these games with the chance to prepare for next season in the top flight.”

Albion defender Steven Reid understands there will be a party atmosphere for the final game of the season but insists no one is getting carried away in the dressing room.

After surviving with plenty to spare this time around, Reid knows he and his team-mates face another battle next season.

Albion could even finish one place behind Everton in eighth place if they win their last two matches, but Reid has given fans a reality check, saying: “It’s getting tighter every year. It’s amazing to think last year 31 points would have been enough to stay up.”